1. What surprised me the most was the statistic stating that the top 1% of the population of the United States owns between 40% and 50% of the nation’s total wealth, which is more than the combined wealth of the bottom 90% of the population. This statistic is shocking and staggering and is contrary to the belief that the United States is a middle-class society. and proves that the country is actually a top and bottom class society and wealth is concentrated on a small elite class. Inevitably, the bottom 90% are a working class. It is evident that the country is a top bottom class society and the top class owns almost everything. It is clear that the balance of the economy is totally unequal. This is the statistic that stood out to me the most and made wealth inequality more real.
  2. Wealth concentration inequality can have an immense impact on the political structure of a society. When the top percent of earners gain wealth, they also gain power. The reading notes the more financially powerful people become, the more they gain control of prices. This market control ultimately hurts the average person placed in the role of consumer by powerful people.
    This example demonstrates the experience many people face. The average full-time worker receives a low wage, even though they are working the same hours. This wage is often not in line with the market current wage to price ratio. This is visible in increasing housing market, student loan, and debt problems, as well as the need for more than one job to be able to meet the basic needs of a person. Quick balance shifts can also be seen in neighborhoods where luxury apartments are built during an increase of visible homeless people in the surrounding area. The divide created by wealth inequality can be seen in healthcare as well. Consequently, the person with little money may choose to not visit a doctor due to the price of the service. The invite inequality of a community causes harm to the social standing of the community, quality of life that also encompasses the safety, and opportunities available.

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